Posts from November 2020 (Page 3)
Daily Devotions
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.” vs. 17 When taken literally these words of Paul paint a spectacular picture of Christ’s Second Coming. Those who have died will burst from their graves and shoot into the air with all living believers, and together all the saints will meet their…
Daily Devotions
1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” vs. 13 Early followers of Jesus expected him to come again to usher in the promised eternal reign of God, and when that much anticipated return was delayed, some began to worry about those who were dying. Were they out of luck? Would they miss out on…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 70 “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” vs. 5 Many have been waiting for this day for months. The election is over, and even if we don’t yet know the results, at least we won’t have to watch the endless campaign commercials or get annoying text messages and emails from eager well-meaning advocates. From all evidence this has been one of the…
Daily Devotions
Amos 5:21-24 “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” vs. 24 Amos had been sent to proclaim the word of the Lord to Israel and he was not happy with what he saw. While people continued to practice the externals of religion, gathering on festival days for the singing of hymns and the offering of sacrifices, it was all a facade. While the rich were growing ever richer, and had multiple homes with ornate…
Daily Devotions
Amos 5:18-20 “Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light; as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear…” vss. 18-19a When Amos spoke of the “day of the Lord” he was thinking of that time when God would break into our human existence with power and might, something like the apocalypse mentioned in other parts of scripture. He’s telling…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 5:6-12 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” vs. 11 As we take time on this All Saints Day to remember all the people with whom we’ve been associated through the years who now rest from their labors, we’re bound to be overwhelmed with a sense of gratefulness and deep gratitude. All of us have been touched in powerful ways by family members, friends,…